Glossary

BreaklineAn arc across the track denoting the point where runners may leave their original lane and use any part of the track, which is normally the inside lane.

ChangeoverThe passing of the baton from one runner to the next.

CountbackA process used to determine the winner if two high jumpers or pole vaulters reach equal heights, based upon reviewing which athlete failed least in his or her jumps at that height or in the whole competition.

Crouch start

The crouched position all sprinters must assume before starting a race.

Decathlete

A contestant in a decathlon.

DecathlonAn athletic contest comprising 10 different track-and-field events and won by the contestant having the highest total score.

False startAn illegal beginning to a race in which a runner begins before the starter's pistol is fired.

Field event

An athletic event that involves jumping or throwing.

Fosbury flopA style of high-jumping, named after former high-jumper Dick Fosbury, in which the athlete clears the jump facing upwards, with the back to the bar, and lands with the back on the mat.

Foul

A violation where, most commonly, an athlete jumping or throwing for distance steps across the line or circle defining the limit of the athlete's approach to an attempt.

Hammer throwThe field event in which athletes attempt to throw the hammer as far as possible.

Heat

An early race of an event, with the top finishers advancing to the finals or semi-finals of the competition.

HeptathleteA contestant in a heptathlon.

Heptathlon

An athletic contest comprising seven different track-and-field events and won by the contestant having the greatest total score.

High jump

1. A vertical jump with which athletes attempt to clear a bar. 2. The field event in which athletes attempt to jump over a bar.

Hurdles

A running race in which athletes must leap over set obstacles on the track.

Javelin

The field event in which athletes attempt to throw the javelin as far as possible.

Jump the gun

To commit a false start by beginning to run before the starter's pistol is fired.

Jump-offA sudden-death contest used to determine the winner in high jump and pole vault if the athletes finish at the same height and a countback cannot determine the winner.

LanesThe eight alleys of a track which runners must run within during certain races.

LapThe distance of once around the track (400 metres) or course (outside stadium). Or: to pass another runner in a race by one lap.

Leg

One of a number of parts of a race, each of which must be completed to determine the winner.

LiftingA violation in the walk for lifting a foot before the leg has bent for a moment.

Long distanceType of race which is at least 10,000 metres in length.

Long jump

The field event in which athletes try to jump as far as possible.

Marathon

A 42.195-kilometre road race re-enacting the distance run by a Greek messenger in 490 BC.

Middle distance

Type of race including 800, 1500 and 5000 metres.

On your markThe starter's call for runners in a race to move to the starting line and assume position to start the race.

Pentathlete

A contestant in a pentathlon.

Pentathlon

An athletic contest comprising five different events and won by the contestant having the highest total score.

Pole vault

The event in which athletes try to clear a bar with the help of a long pole.

Relay

A race in which athletes race in teams of four, taking turns to run.

Road raceA race run on established roads or footpaths, not on grass or other soft ground.

Runway

A running strip for jumpers and throwers where they build up speed as they approach their attempts in their events.

Scratchline

A line marking the centre of the take-over zone.

SetThe starter's second call to runners in a sprint, alerting them to rise quickly into their final starting positions before the starter's gun is fired.

Shot-put

The field event in which athletes try to put, or throw, the shot as far as possible.

Sprint

A short race at full speed, generally meaning a race of 400 metres or less.

Starter's gun

The pistol used by the starter to fire blanks in the air, signalling the start of a race.

Starting blocks

A pair of angled supports for the feet, temporarily attached to the track, to increase the power of a sprinter from a crouch start.

SteeplechaseA race run by people over a course which features obstacles such as hurdle barriers and water jumps.

Stop board

1. The far point of a tapered box sunk into the runway for the pole vault, where the vaulter's pole is intended to lock into position as the athlete launches into the air for the vault.

2. The raised board that defines how far a thrower can range before releasing his attempt.

Sudden deathAn extra round or rounds of competition held to resolve a contest that has resulted in a tie, e.g. a jump-off in the high jump or pole vault.

Take-off board

A rectangular board, usually made of wood, placed in the runway in the long jump and triple jump, marking the jumping area.

Take-off lineThe plasticine line at the end of the take-off board in long jump and triple jump before which athletes must have jumped.

Take-over zone

A defined area in a relay race where the baton must be exchanged between runners on a team.

Track

1. The oval course laid out for racing. 2. Athletic events run on that course.

UprightsThe vertical poles which hold the bar in high jump and pole vault in place.

Walk

A race where the walker must have at least one foot on the ground at all times and the advancing leg must be kept straight.

Water jumpA man-made obstacle in the steeplechase consisting of a solid hurdle barrier and a miniature pool containing water up to 70 centimetres deep.